Programme Manager – Discover Economics

Royal Economic Society

Hours
35 hours per week

Length of contract
1 year

About the Organisation

Royal Economic Society (RES) is a professional membership body and learned society dedicated to the study and application of economics. The RES has been at the forefront of advancing economic knowledge globally since 1890 and has been foundational in building capability and excellence in the profession.

With over 3,000 individual members worldwide and a dozen organisational members, we are one of the oldest economic associations in the world. Increasingly, we are focused on improving the public understanding of economics through engagement with schools and the wider public. Improving diversity, inclusion, and professional conduct within the discipline is a key strategic priority of the Society.

About the role

An exciting opportunity to play a central role in the next phase of Discover Economics. Building on the initial development of the programme, this role will coordinate delivery across a varied portfolio of activities, ensuring high-quality delivery and the capture of measurable outcomes to demonstrate impact for key stakeholders. The postholder will act as an operational representative for the programme, strengthen existing partnerships, and support the continued development of activities that broaden access to economics.

Society Background Discover Economics is a Royal Economic Society programme that aims to increase diversity in economics by broadening the appeal of the subject, changing perceptions of economics and economists, and attracting more students from under-represented groups. The programme focuses on young people aged 15–17, particularly those making choices about post-16 qualifications and university study.

Our wider purpose is to promote the study of economic science. With over 3,000 individual members worldwide and a dozen organisational members, we are one of the oldest economic associations in the world. We are a registered charity, and membership is open to anyone who shares our aims and objectives.

Increasingly, we are focused on improving the public understanding of economics through engagement with schools and the wider public. Discover Economics is a Royal Economic Society programme to increase diversity in economics. We work to:

• Broaden the appeal of economics to potential students
• Change their perceptions of economics and economists
• Attract more students from under-represented groups (women, state school and further education college students, minoritised ethnic groups, members of the LGBTQI+ community and more).

The programme targets 15-17 year olds – young people who are making choices about what post-16 qualifications to take and what subjects to study at university. We work to transform perceptions of economics among students, particularly those attending schools where it is not provided as a subject. We also work to raise the voices of a more diverse set of economists and expose students to role models already working in the subject.

Overall, the Society publishes two scientific journals - The Economic Journal and The Econometrics Journal – containing high-quality peer-reviewed papers from an international authorship. Our popular annual conference provides a forum for research, debate, and networking. We also provide resources for economists and support for education and the training of students, teachers and researchers. Improving diversity, inclusion and professional conduct within the discipline is a key strategic priority of the Society.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the delivery of national outreach initiatives across the Discover Economics programme, including school engagement activities, the Young Economist of the Year Competition, ambassador programmes, workshops and classroom/careers materials.
• Manage day-to-day relationships with partner organisations, funders and key stakeholders, including Academic Champions, to maximise the delivery and impact of the programme.
• Coordinate the development and delivery of virtual work experience programmes and other scalable outreach models that provide high-quality participant experiences.
• Work with the Head of Discover Economics and Communications Officer to coordinate communications and outreach content, ensuring outputs meet brand, quality and accessibility standards.
• Use data, monitoring and evaluation insights to inform programme development, improve delivery, and identify opportunities to expand reach and impact.
• Represent the programme at relevant external events, helping to strengthen partnerships and identify new collaboration opportunities.
• Work with the Head of Discover Economics to inform development of programme objectives and sector priorities.
• Produce reports for stakeholders, funders and the Advisory Working Group to support effective planning and decision-making.
• Contribute to operational planning and programme management, including improving systems and processes, to ensure effective delivery across activities.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Essential Skills:

• Experience delivering multiple outreach or educational engagement initiatives to time and against success criteria.
• Demonstrable experience managing partnership relationships.
• Ability to support the development and delivery of new initiatives from concept to delivery, for example virtual work experience programmes.
• Strong organisational and operational planning skills, including managing operational budgets and resources.
• A strong commitment to promoting diversity in education.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with experience coordinating communications for a variety of initiatives.
• Ability to interpret and use data, monitoring and evaluation insights to improve delivery, report on impact and support programme planning.
• Experience representing a programme or organisation at external events.
• Experience of working independently with a flexible, can-do approach to work.

Desired Skills:

• Knowledge and experience of the education, including higher education, sector.
• Understanding of diversity and inclusion in education.
• An interest in economics, social science or education policy. Economics degree or equivalent.

Required Qualifications

• Degree-level education or equivalent

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the London office and remotely
• Occasional travel to meetings within the UK will be required.

How to apply

• Applications should be emailed to [email protected] by 10 am on Friday 24th July 2026th. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Please apply by sending your CV along with a personal statement outlining how you meet each person specification point. Applications that have not linked the personal statement to the person specification points will not be considered.
• For further information, or if you require any reasonable adjustments in submitting your application, please contact the Office Manager via e-mail at [email protected]. The Royal Economic Society is committed to equality and valuing diversity. 

Interviews

• Shortlisting will be done on an ongoing basis with interview slots held both w/c 20th July (for early applicants) and 27th July 2026.

Policies

Royal Economic Society is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful applicant will be subject to appropriate safer recruitment checks, which may include a DBS check, references, and verification of qualifications and employment history. All staff are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding and to maintain the highest standards of professional conduct when working with students.

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